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Fermentation dynamics, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Malaysian traditional rice wines

Meiwei Koay (Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia)
Hui Yin Fan (Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Food Security Research Laboratory, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia)
Clemente Michael Vui Ling Wong (Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia)

British Food Journal

ISSN: 0007-070X

Article publication date: 2 October 2024

Issue publication date: 20 November 2024

52

Abstract

Purpose

Malaysian rice wines (tapai) manufactured in small-scale industries are usually formulated based on personal experiences under minimally controlled conditions for generations, especially in Sabah, one of the East Malaysian states. However, the quality and safety of rice wines were receiving increased attention to ensure better quality control, particularly those produced on an industrial scale. Therefore, this research aims to determine the fermentation dynamics and consumers’ acceptance of Malaysian rice wines produced using different sasad (a local term for starter culture from Sabah).

Design/methodology/approach

The physicochemical [total soluble solids (TSS), alcohol content, total titratable acidity (TTA) and pH] and microbiological [total yeast and mould count (TYMC) and total lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count] changes in Malaysian rice wines were determined to better understand the fermentation process for future process optimisation. Additionally, sensory evaluations were conducted to determine the consumers’ preferences for the rice wines.

Findings

The overall fermentation dynamics of rice wines exhibited similar trends with slight variations between the samples, demonstrating the effect of microbial compositions of sasad on the quality of final rice wines. Additionally, consumer acceptance tests showed that rice wines with darker shades of yellow and a stronger alcoholic aroma were preferable.

Originality/value

This is the first research that provides important insights into both the fermentation dynamics and consumers’ acceptance of Malaysian traditional rice wines, enriching the rice wine literature from the academic perspective and contributing to the production of safe and high-quality rice wines.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by Universiti Malaysia Sabah Niche (No.: SDN0072-2019). The authors gratefully acknowledge Sabah Diversity Center (SaBC) for granting the Access Licenses, JKM/MBS.1000–2/2 JLD.12 (72), JKM/MBS.1000–2/2 JLD.12 (75), JKM/MBS.1000–2/2 JLD.12 (76) and JKM/MBS.1000–2/2 JLD.12 (77) and the Penampang District Officer, Mr Hendry Idol for the approval and support to use the sasad from the Penampang district.

Corrigendum: It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article Koay, M., Fan, H.Y. and Wong, C.M.V.L. (2024), “Fermentation dynamics, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Malaysian traditional rice wines”, British Food Journal, Vol. 126 No. 12, pp. 4108-4123. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2024-0257, features a citation and referencing error. Specifically, on the third page of the article, due to an issue with the referencing software, there is an incorrect citation to Upson et al. 2015; the citation and corresponding reference should instead be to the World Health Organization (2014); the correct reference information is as follows: World Health Organization (2014), “Methanol poisoning outbreaks”, available at: https://www.methanol.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/WHO-Methanol-Poisoning-Fact-Sheet.pdf (accessed 9 October 2024). The authors sincerely apologize for this error.

Citation

Koay, M., Fan, H.Y. and Wong, C.M.V.L. (2024), "Fermentation dynamics, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Malaysian traditional rice wines", British Food Journal, Vol. 126 No. 12, pp. 4108-4123. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2024-0257

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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